Beneath a railway arch in Haggerston, Londoners will soon be able to step into The Otherworld.
Presented by the ominously named Dream Corporation, this dazzling new spot gives guests the chance to try the latest VR experiences with their friends – all in scintillatingly sci-fi surroundings.
While other VR venues might overlook the space beyond the headset, at Otherworld you’ll be able to enjoy cocktails, craft beer and island cuisine in-between trips into parallel dimensions, promising happy days for players and companions alike.
Each player occupies their own Immersion Room, so rest assured that crowds won’t be watching you flail around frantically. The social isolation lasts but a moment, however, as you’ll soon be reunited with your companions in your preferred alternate reality.
Having attracted a tasty £1m in investment, the Otherworld boasts state-of-the-art VIVE headsets, enhanced by rooms that generate all manner of multi-sensory effects. And with sixteen different games on offer at launch, you might find yourself bending the very fabric of time, adventuring through the Wild West, stepping into the world of Rick ‘n’ Morty or simply slicing some fruit with a trusty katana. Do well enough in your burger-flipping / zombie-hunting / castle-defending task, and you stand the chance of earning some in-game DreamCoin, which can be exchanged for added playtime or even food and drink at the bar. Nice!
Whether you’re playing or not – anyone can come along for a drink and a bite to eat. With a pan-Pacific menu from the Lords of Poké crew and a killer cocktail menu designed by an ex-Milk & Honey mixologist, there’ll be plenty of refreshment on hand, while the venue’s First Class Lounge can entertain groups of up to 12 people, with table and bottle service, 360° art projections, and even a self-serve beer tap pouring their very own Otherworld lager. (And absolutely no karaoke, so you can be sure Kath won’t be tempted to ‘do’ Shania Twain. Sweet relief!)
Otherworld opens on April 15 and sessions (from £15 per person) are now open for booking. See you in the next reality, friends!
Location: 336 Acton Mews, E8 4EA. Nearest station: Haggerston.
Opening hours: from April 15, seven days a week, 11am – 11pm, or until midnight on Fri-Sat.
Cost: varies by day and time, but from £15 per player per session.
For more information: see their website.